Compassion or Condescension: Teaching Kids to See Others Like Jesus Does
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
Release Date: 10/20/2025
Ep. 016 - Raising Gender-Confident Kids - When the Headlines Say “Transgenderism Is Over”: What This Moment Really Means for Our Kids
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
In this episode, Wayne and Dr. Kathy examine the swirling headlines about a supposed “dramatic decline” in transgender identification. They reveal why the current data has major methodological issues, why some trends reverse when properly weighted, and why numbers—whether up or down—tell us nothing about a child’s internal world. The heart of the episode centers on identity formation: how confusion takes root, why kids grasp for labels, and how cultural pendulums create whiplash for an already overwhelmed generation. Dr. Kathy explains the five core needs (security, identity,...
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When Kids Stop Reading: Why Reading Still Shapes Who Our Kids Become
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
Books are disappearing from kids’ lives, and so is something sacred. In this episode of Celebrate Kids: Facing in the Dark, Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy Koch explore startling new data showing that only 30% of eighth-graders read at or above proficiency, and that over 30% of teens hardly ever read for fun. Together, they unpack why reading has declined over the last 40 years and how technology has quietly taken its place. Dr. Kathy, whose Ph.D. is in reading and educational psychology, explains that kids don’t just learn from books, they learn through them. Reading shapes...
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A Hundred Praises or One Blessing: How Our Words Shape Who Kids Become
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
What if the words we speak over our kids aren’t just communication, but are actually creation? In this episode of Facing in the Dark, Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy tackle a new claim from psychologist Dr. Chelsea Haug-Zavaleta that children should receive 100 compliments a day to thrive emotionally. Dr. Kathy challenges the research, explaining that it’s not about the number of compliments, it’s about the ratio of affirmation to correction and the meaning behind our words. She offers practical insights for balancing affirmation with healthy boundaries, showing how kids form identity...
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Protecting Play: Understanding Roblox and How to Keep Kids Safe, Strong, and Truly Connected
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
Online platforms like Roblox promise fun, creativity, and connection, but for millions of kids, those promises are breaking. In this episode of Facing in the Dark, Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy Koch unpack the rise of digital gaming and the dangers hidden behind “safe” online play. From lawsuits and predatory risks to the loss of imagination, they contrast artificial worlds with the kind of real play God designed to shape hearts, build courage, and foster identity. Drawing on the story of David’s childhood play and its role in forming his bravery, Dr. Kathy reminds us that kids...
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The Power of Handwriting: Unlocking Brain Potential in Parenting
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Wayne reflects on the challenges and inefficiencies of parenting, particularly when trying to nurture a child's potential. He and Dr. Kathy discuss the importance of recognizing and encouraging a child's unique personality traits while acknowledging that parenting often involves navigating dark and inconvenient moments. The episode highlights a fascinating study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, which reveals that handwriting engages the entire brain, unlike typing. This insight serves as a reminder for parents to embrace...
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Teens, Anxiety, and Identity: What’s Really Driving the Surge in Counseling?
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
Why are more teens struggling with anxiety even though mental health resources have never been more abundant? In this episode, Dr. Kathy explains the unseen forces driving the rise in youth mental health challenges, from family fragmentation to identity pressure to cultural lies that amplify insecurity. She breaks down why more kids are in counseling today, why increased services haven’t solved the problem, and what actually helps kids build resilience. You’ll learn how to speak hope into a child who feels overwhelmed. Dr. Kathy gives insight to call out strengths when mental health feels...
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Why Your Child’s Screen Habits Mirror Yours And How Parents Can Lead Kids Toward Healthier Tech Use
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
In this episode, we explore one of the most important—and overlooked—truths about modern parenting: kids model their screen habits after their parents. Drawing on new research, Dr. Kathy explains why parental phone use is the strongest predictor of a child’s screen time and how small shifts in our habits can reshape the culture of our homes. We look at how to replace screen time with meaningful connection, why outdoor time matters (even for kids who aren’t nature-loving), and how biblical principles from Ephesians 4 guide real, lasting change. This episode equips parents to lead with...
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When “How Was Your Day?” Isn’t Enough: Questions That Help Kids Open Up
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
How do we help kids open up about their day—really open up—so we can guide their hearts, not just manage their behavior? In today’s episode, we explore why the classic parent question, “How was your day?” almost always leads to a dead end, and how we can replace it with questions that actually build connection, confidence, and identity. Drawing from Dr. Kathy Koch’s deep insight into child development, we look at why kids often shut down when they come home from school, what their silence might be telling us, and how timing, tone, and relational approach matter more than the words...
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Considering Gavin Newsom's Concern With Losing Men, and What Real Masculinity and Femininity Look Like
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
In a world where masculinity is politicized and femininity misunderstood, Dr. Kathy Koch reminds parents that flourishing isn’t about control, it’s about character. Considering a recent interview where California Governor Gavin Newsom raised concern at the growing number of men who are not following his political party, Dr. Kathy and Wayne make some parallels and comparisons to how some parents fall into a similar trap with their kids. Boys and girls thrive when they understand who they were created to be, delight in God’s design, and use their strength to serve, and that's what we talk...
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Secure in an Unsteady World: Supporting Kids to Have Security When Government Shuts Down and The World Seems to Stop
Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy
What happens when the world feels uncertain? From canceled flights to government shutdowns, kids are watching and wondering if they’re safe. Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender talk about how parents can recognize insecurity in their children, help them rebuild trust, and anchor their hearts in the one thing that never changes—God’s goodness and presence.
info_outlineWhen does helping someone cross the line from compassion into condescension? In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender unpack a viral Supreme Court moment that raises tough questions about empathy, equality, and how we treat others. Learn how to teach your kids the difference between pity and Christ-like compassion—and how true love restores dignity instead of diminishing it.